Is this package suitable for Ice Diving?

[jsado]

Here is the package I bought. I have dove with it a few times now and I love it.

http://cgi.ebay.com/GT3-Air-XS-Veo-...1467179QQihZ001QQcategoryZ16056QQcmdZViewItem

I want to know if this equipment is suitable for ice diving. I've read about some sort of environmental protection kit that I might need on my 1st stage. Does this have it already? If not, what is it? Do I need it? and Where can I get it?

Thanks!

 

[AzAtty]

http://www.oceanicworldwide.com/p_regulators_gt3.html

Specs on the regulator.

 

[CJ Waid]

When I went Ice Divng we used snow and cold water, that was about the only difference between ice diving and regular diving, that and I had to haul a snow blower out onto the ice... come to find out that it fit on the sled (attached to the snow mobile) on the way back... but on the way out it wouldn't fit on the sled... I think that had to do with me being new...

 

[jsado]

Well, I've already been to that link and I didn't find it very helpful in relation to my question. Maybe I missed something, but I don't see any temp specs for my reg. I went diving today and at the bottom, the temp was 47. Everything SEEMED fine. Am I potentially damaging my reg though?

 

[crpntr133]

Well, I've already been to that link and I didn't find it very helpful in relation to my question. Maybe I missed something, but I don't see any temp specs for my reg. I went diving today and at the bottom, the temp was 47. Everything SEEMED fine. Am I potentially damaging my reg though?

If a reg isn't sealed and/or is a piston there is more of a chance of freezing. I think most consider mid 50's as the freezing water point. Not saying that you can't dive any other reg but it isn't a good choice.

 

[MSilvia]

Am I potentially damaging my reg though?

It's not damage to the reg you need to worry about, it's ice forming in the reg and causing the moving parts to stick open so that it starts letting air/gas "free flow" out of it instead of only releasing it when you inhale.

I've seen pictures of regs completely frozen in a block of ice, and they worked just fine once thawed out.

I think most consider mid 50's as the freezing water point.

Not me. I routinely dive in water in the 39+ range, and consider anything in the 50s to be "summer temps". I've only had a free flow once. It was because I breathed it before it was submerged when the air temp was in the 20s.

 

[Scottri]

I dive in water in the low 50's and high 40's all the time. Freezing is not a worry for me nor anybody I know of around here.

As far as damaging the reg, no it won't hurt it.

From the Oceanic site:
"Paired with our popular CDX-5 Compact Over-Balanced Diaphragm First Stage with Enviro Kit, featuring DVT (Dry Valve Technology)"

No worries, it's sealed so you are good to go with that 1st stage for ice diving. Good luck and have fun. I loved my ice diving class.

 

[prthd9]

I think most consider mid 50's as the freezing water point. Not saying that you can't dive any other reg but it isn't a good choice.

Man we have been hitting the low 50's regularly in San Diego this year. I never really consider this freezing, but I guess if you are a warm water diver then you might just freeze!!!

 

[crpntr133]

Man we have been hitting the low 50's regularly in San Diego this year. I never really consider this freezing, but I guess if you are a warm water diver then you might just freeze!!!

Maybe I should have rephrased this. With the air moving through the first stage it cools things down. With any water temp below 50ish the possibility of it freezing is there. Hence they tell you to not use your reg before you submerge on an ice dive. Doesn't mean that you can't.

My coldest dives have been 39 degree water temps and I dive 40's all the time.